For too long, Australia has been in a toxic relationship with gas.
And as we head into a federal election campaign, it’s worth thinking about the role of gas in Australia’s energy mix, and why we need to phase it out sooner rather than later.
So here are 5 reasons why Australia needs to break up with gas:
1. Gas is a polluting fossil fuel that’s driving climate change
Gas is a fossil fuel that produces a lot of climate pollution wherever we extract, process and burn it. That pollution from gas (as well as from burning coal and oil) is overheating our planet and driving more intense and frequent unnatural disasters like bushfires, floods and heatwaves.
And yet, a lot of Australians don’t know that gas is a polluting fossil fuel, thanks to a concerted PR campaign from the gas industry to market gas as “natural” and clean.
From big advertising campaigns designed to mislead the public, to advertorials splashed across the front pages of Australia’s biggest-selling tabloid newspapers, they’re using all the dirty tricks to hoodwink Australians so that they can keep profiteering.
2. Gas is expensive and building more gas projects won’t help
Gas used to be cheap, but those days are long gone. Now it’s one of the most expensive energy sources and Australians are paying a heavy price for it on their energy bills. That’s because Australian gas companies export almost 80% of our gas overseas.
Building more gas projects won’t help. That’s because all our cheap options to extract gas are gone, so now new gas is very expensive. New gas projects in Australia have high development costs and struggle to generate returns on capital investment.
3. Australia already has plenty of gas and we don’t need more
Gas has a small, shrinking and short-term role to play in Australia’s energy mix – and we don’t need more of it. Gas from Australia’s existing projects through to 2035 would be enough to power our domestic energy needs for 64 years.
Pursuing new gas projects in Australia will add to our climate pollution crisis. More gas is a bad bet against our kids having a safer future and enjoying a thriving, clean economy.
4. Gas is bad for our health
Gas isn’t just harmful to our climate – it’s damaging to our health as well. Studies have shown that gas cooktops leak harmful toxins into your home, even when they are switched off. In fact, a child living with gas cooking in the home faces a comparable risk of asthma to a child living with household cigarette smoke.
5. Australia can reliably meet our energy needs with renewable power plus storage
Already, about 40% of Australia’s electricity comes from solar, wind and hydro power. That’s doubled in the past six years. Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) tells us that large-scale solar and wind, backed up by storage (massive batteries and hydro power), can provide power to Australians 24/7. We also know that solar is the lowest-cost electricity and building more renewables is the most affordable way to keep the lights on (CSIRO’s GenCost 2024). Plus, since gas appliances are less efficient than electric alternatives, getting off gas can save the average Aussie family $200 per year, increasing to $400 in 10 years time.
So there you have it: it’s time for a clean break with gas—and to go all in on renewables.
